This is part of our state guide series detailing where the Amish live in various states.
📍 Current Amish Presence in Alabama
Updated: As of 2026, an Amish community has been established near Clanton, between Birmingham and Montgomery.
Alabama for a long time was one of 18 states in the United States that had no active Amish communities. Alabama joined the list in 2026, so now there are just 17 states with an Amish settlement.
📜 Historical Amish Attempts in Alabama
In the early 1900s, Amish groups made numerous attempts to settle in Alabama, along with other southern states like Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. However, these early settlement attempts were unsuccessful and did not establish lasting communities.
One notable failed Amish settlement was located in far southern Alabama near Bay Minette. This historical settlement attempt demonstrates that while the Amish have shown interest in Alabama over the decades, the communities did not take root permanently.
🤔 Why Haven't the Amish lived in Alabama?
Several factors contribute to Alabama's lack of Amish communities, we'll see if the Clanton community can overcome them.
Climate Preferences: Since their earliest years in America, the Amish have gravitated to the cooler climes of corn and dairy regions, typically associating with the nation's middle latitudes from Pennsylvania through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas.
Agricultural Considerations: The Amish traditionally prefer farming operations suited to dairy and grain production, which are better supported in northern climates with different soil and weather patterns than Alabama's hot, humid subtropical climate.
Community Networks: Amish settlements often expand near existing communities for mutual support, shared resources, and family connections. Alabama's geographic isolation from established Amish regions makes new settlement more challenging.
👥 Related Plain Communities in the Region
While Alabama has only one Amish community, there are related Plain groups in nearby areas:
Tennessee: A new Old Order Mennonite (OOM) community has developed in recent years in northern Alabama at Section, which is an outreach community of the Delano, Tennessee OOM community. Tennessee is home to nearly a dozen Amish church districts.
Surrounding States: The closest Amish communities to Alabama residents would be found in Kentucky, which has the heaviest 'southern Amish' presence with around 60 church districts, or in Tennessee.
🔮 Future Possibilities
According to Amish settlement experts, northern Alabama might be more suitable for an Amish community than the previous failed settlement in far southern Alabama (Bay Minette). The presence of Old Order Mennonites in northern Alabama follows an old saying: "Where you find Mennonites (in rural areas), you often find Amish and vice versa."
However, despite this potential, no concrete plans or movements toward establishing an Amish settlement in Alabama have materialized as of 2025.
🗺️ Visiting Amish Communities from Alabama
Alabama residents interested in experiencing Amish culture would need to travel to other states. The closest options include:
- Kentucky: Multiple communities throughout the state
- Tennessee: Nearly a dozen church districts
- Virginia: Several small settlements
- North Carolina: One New Order community
- Florida: The unique Pinecraft settlement in Sarasota
🛒 Amish Businesses in Alabama
With only a handful of Amish in the state it is not surprising that there are a sparse number of businesses to visit. BUT, there is an amazing Mennonite-owned bulk food and bakery. So if you are in Alabama and wanted a sort-of Amish experience, head to the Dutch Oven Bakery located at 1205 Evergreen Rd. Falkville, AL 35622. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, one TripAdvisor reviewer had this to say:
We could smell the fresh bread as soon as we walked in. There were so many baked items to choose from you have to see to believe. The deli counter was lined with customers and the pie and cake case was full of delicious options. Worth the drive to experience this Mennonite treasure!
There is also the Old Order Mennonite run market in the town of Section. The address for the market is 1505 AL-71, Section, AL 35771. It is open everyday from 9 - 4:30, closed Sunday and only open until noon on Wednesdays.
Here are some of the fresh-made pies sold at the market. So you do have some good "almost Amish" options in Alabama!
📝 Conclusion
Alabama finally gets an Amish community! While the Amish population continues to expand rapidly across America, Alabama now joins the list!
Last updated: April 2026
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